UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS - digital.library.unt.edu

1 Discovery Park Master Plan UpdateUNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXASMAY 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTSE xecutive Summary5 Discovery Park Vision7 UNT s Research Agenda13 Program Structure17 Context and Process19 Background21 Planning Process25 Planning Context29 Master Plan39 Master Plan Framework41 Goals41 Precincts57 Master Plan Precincts59 Central UNT Research Precinct and Central Building60 East UNT Research Precinct65 West Science and Technology Precinct69 Recreation Areas73 Flexible Use Areas73 UNT Land NORTH of Loop 28875 Phasing75 Guidelines81 Campus Design Guidelines83 Architectural Design Guidelines89 Landscape Design Guidelines97 Governance111 Development Covenants113 Design Review Procedures114 Utilities Appendix117 EXECUTIVESUMMARYE xecutive Summary 6 Executive Summary 7 DISCOVERY PARK VISIONThe development of Discovery Park, the UNIVERSITY of NORTH TEXAS at Denton s (UNT Denton or UNT)

2 Innovative research park, represents a major step forward in advancing the UNIVERSITY s ten year Strategic Plan for Research and its mission to become a major national research UNIVERSITY . Building on the UNIVERSITY s dynamic research culture, and an existing base of research activity, Discovery Park will become a vibrant research community, defined by leading-edge UNIVERSITY and private research, as well as collaborations between the two. A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship will encourage start-ups, business incubation, technology transfer and new job creation, enhancing UNT s reputation both regionally and nationally.

3 Over time, Discovery Park will emerge as one of the most innovative settings for research, business incubation and technology transfer in the Dallas-Fort Worth master plan and design guidelines for Discovery Park will provide for the evolution of the Discovery Park site from a former TEXAS Instruments manufacturing facility to a dynamic setting for scientific and technological research that will position UNT as a leading regional, state and national research destination. The plan articulates a comprehensive vision and long-term program strategy for the Park that is founded on the UNIVERSITY s strategic research priorities and the economic potential of the Park, as well as relationships with the UNIVERSITY s main campus.

4 The plan provides a framework for development that establishes a unique identity for the Park while allowing for adaptation to future needs. It also provides comprehensive site, architectural and landscape design guidelines to ensure consistent, high quality, sustainable site development. DISCOVERY PARK AT FULL BUILD-OUT, AS SEEN FROM THE E ASTE xecutive Summary 8 Upon arrival at the park, researchers will be welcomed through new gateways to distinct research precincts dedicated to UNIVERSITY or private research. The existing TEXAS Instruments building will be renovated to become a bright, open, and contemporary environment with state-of-the-art labs, flexible space and support amenities.

5 It will become Discovery Park s Central Building and the core of park development. To the east of the Central Building, a new East UNT Research Precinct will accommodate nearly 500,000 square feet of new UNIVERSITY research space. To the west, the new West Science and Technology Precinct will house another 850,000 square feet of private research facilities. A re-invented pedestrian walkway system in the Central Building will be extended to connect all areas of the campus, and will include a new East Mall, running NORTH -south through the East Precinct, and a new Central Park in the West Science and Technology Precinct.

6 Research activity will be highly visible along the pedestrian network, encouraging interaction and collaboration. Buildings will be connected to surrounding open spaces, which will consist of the new East Mall and Central Park, intimately-scaled courtyards, preserved areas of natural habitat, and recreation areas. The open space network will be designed with water-receiving landscapes to manage stormwater sensitively. Other sustainable solutions will reduce the Park s environmental impact and operations costs through increased efficiency, new technologies, and utilization of existing natural systems.

7 Sustainable solutions like stormwater management systems and shade structures will also serve as visual amenities in the Discovery Park master plan is the result of a multi-phase process, which engaged key stakeholders in creating a new vision for the Park. The consultant team completed a site analysis, tested planning framework options, and developed the final master plan and design master plan and design guidelines for Discovery Park will guide the evolution of the Discovery Park site from a former manufacturing facility to a dynamic setting for research that will position UNT as a national research destination.

8 Executive Summary 9DE VELOPMENT AT DISCOVERY PARK WILL BE CENTERED AROUND A VIBR ANT PEDESTRIAN NE T WORK AND GREEN SPACESB uilding on the UNIVERSITY s dynamic research culture, and an existing base of scientific and technological research activity, Discovery Park will become a vibrant research community, defined by leading-edge UNIVERSITY and private research, as well as collaborations between the Summary 10 Executive Summary 11 The development of Discovery Park, the UNIVERSITY of NORTH TEXAS at Denton s innovative research park, represents a major step forward in advancing the UNIVERSITY s ten year Strategic Plan for Research and its mission to become a major national research PARK WILL BE OPEN AND CONNECTED Executive Summary 12 THE WEST Science and Technology PRECINCT WILL BE ORIENTED AROUND A CENTR AL PARK WITH SHADED PEDESTRIAN WALK WAYS WHERE RESE ARCHERS WILL MEE T AND CHAT.

9 THE CENTR AL SPACE WILL SERVE AS BOTH A RECRE ATION DESTINATION AND A STORMWATER INFILTR ATION ARE Summary 13 UNT S RESEARCH AGENDA Currently classified as a Carnegie Foundation High Research Activity institution, the UNIVERSITY has committed to meeting the TEXAS House Bill 51 Challenge to become a national research UNIVERSITY , and eventually attain the status of a Carnegie Very High Research Activity institution. In early 2010, the UNIVERSITY adopted its new Strategic Plan for Research 2011 2020, which establishes several priorities to achieve this ambitious goal:1.

10 Expand external research funding from the current TEXAS Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) restricted expenditures of $ million and National Science Foundation (NSF) expenditures of $ million to over $100 million in ten years2. Invest in strategic priority areas:t Next Generation Technologiest Sustainable Endeavorst Human Decision Makingt Human Healtht Synergistic Catalysts 3. Improve undergraduate education 4. Expand and improve doctoral education5. Enhance faculty and student development6. Expand research facilities and resourcest Reassign, renovate, and reallocate space t Complete new construction, including a new interdisciplinary Science and Technology building 7.